Logitech MX Master 4 Reviewed: The Productivity Mouse That Justifies Its Premium Price
The Tool You Touch Ten Thousand Times Daily
There’s a category of objects we use so constantly that their quality becomes invisible. They work, so we stop noticing. They could work better, but we’d never know because adequate is adequate. The computer mouse lives in this category for most people.
Then you use something genuinely good. The difference between functional and excellent becomes apparent. The tool disappears in a different way—not through adequacy but through perfect fit. You stop noticing because nothing demands attention. Everything just works the way your hand expects.
The Logitech MX Master series has defined productivity mice for a decade. Each generation refines without revolutionizing. The MX Master 4 continues this tradition—evolutionary improvement rather than revolutionary change. For those already owning the MX Master 3S, the upgrade question is nuanced. For those using lesser mice, the value proposition is clearer.
My British lilac cat has strong opinions about mice. Not computer mice—she finds those disappointing, lacking the essential qualities of movement and edibility. But she’s observed my relationship with the MX Master series across multiple generations. She’s noted the hand reaching reflexively for a specific shape. She’s watched the scroll wheel spin through documents while she contemplates my failure to scroll through anything that interests her.
This review examines whether Logitech’s latest flagship justifies its premium position. Not through marketing claims or specification sheets. Through months of actual use across multiple computers, operating systems, and workflow demands.
Let’s determine if the MX Master 4 deserves your desk space and your money.
How We Evaluated: The Methodology
Reviewing a mouse requires methodology. Marketing emphasizes features; usage reveals reality.
Step One: Extended Use. No review period adequacy. The MX Master 4 served as primary mouse for three months across daily work. First impressions fade; lasting impressions matter.
Step Two: Multi-System Testing. The mouse connected to Windows desktop, Mac Studio, and MacBook Pro across testing. Each system revealed different characteristics. Cross-platform claims were verified through actual cross-platform use.
Step Three: Workflow Integration. Abstract specifications mean nothing without workflow context. We tested during actual work: writing, coding, designing, spreadsheet manipulation, video editing. Performance under real conditions determined assessment.
Step Four: Competitive Comparison. The MX Master 4 doesn’t exist in isolation. Direct comparison with MX Master 3S, Razer Pro Click, and Apple Magic Mouse provided context. Relative performance matters as much as absolute capability.
Step Five: Value Assessment. Premium price requires premium justification. We evaluated whether features translate into productivity gains worth the investment, not just whether features exist.
This process revealed a mouse that excels in expected ways and surprises in unexpected ones. The verdict is nuanced but clear.
First Impressions: The Unboxing Experience
The MX Master 4 arrives in Logitech’s typical eco-conscious packaging. Minimal plastic. Recyclable materials. The presentation suggests premium without excess. Inside: the mouse, USB-C charging cable, USB-A receiver with USB-C adapter, and documentation.
The mouse itself feels substantial. Not heavy—balanced. The weight distribution centers beneath the palm, creating stability without fatigue. Picking it up after using lighter mice feels like upgrading from a plastic pen to a quality fountain pen. The difference is immediate and persistent.
The texture—soft-touch coating on the body, different materials for thumb rest and buttons—guides the hand to correct positioning. You know where your fingers belong without looking. The ergonomic shaping that made earlier generations comfortable persists with subtle refinement.
Color options have expanded. The traditional Graphite joins new colorways that integrate with various workspace aesthetics. The choice is personal; the quality is consistent across options.
My cat investigated the unboxing with characteristic thoroughness. The packaging received more attention than the mouse—cardboard boxes rank higher in feline interest hierarchies. She determined the MX Master 4 unsuitable for play, batting, or eating. Her review concluded: “Inadequate mouse.” Standards differ between species.
The Scroll Wheel: Where Engineering Becomes Art
The MagSpeed scroll wheel defines the MX Master experience. Electromagnetic technology enables two distinct modes: ratcheted clicking for precise control and free-spinning for rapid document traversal. A button switches between modes. Smart-shift automatically transitions based on scroll speed.
This sounds gimmicky until you use it. Scrolling through a short document, the ratcheted feedback provides precision. Scrolling through a thousand-row spreadsheet, flicking the wheel sends it spinning freely, covering massive distances instantly. The transition is seamless. Your hand learns the physics intuitively.
The MX Master 4 refines this further. The electromagnetic resistance is more precisely calibrated. The transition between modes feels smoother. The improvement is subtle—existing MX Master users might not notice immediately. But switching back to the 3S after extended 4 use reveals the difference. Progress happened even if detection requires comparison.
Horizontal scrolling via the thumb wheel provides similar precision for timeline scrubbing, spreadsheet navigation, and wide document handling. The combination of vertical and horizontal scroll control creates navigation capability that trackpad gestures approach but don’t match for precision work.
The scroll wheel alone justifies significant price premium over basic mice. For anyone processing lengthy documents regularly—writers, researchers, developers, data analysts—the time savings accumulate meaningfully.
Button Configuration: Thoughtful Complexity
The MX Master 4 provides seven programmable buttons. This sounds excessive until you configure them.
Main Buttons: Left and right click respond crisply with satisfying feedback. The switch mechanism feels durable—no mushiness, no uncertainty about actuation.
Scroll Wheel Click: Middle-click for new tabs, pan mode, or custom assignment. The click force is appropriate—enough to prevent accidental activation, light enough for intentional use.
Mode Shift Button: Toggles scroll wheel between ratcheted and free-spin modes. Alternatively, programmable for other functions if you prefer smart-shift handling mode transitions.
Back/Forward Buttons: Thumb-accessible for browser navigation. Exceptionally useful—once configured, manual toolbar clicking feels primitive.
Gesture Button: Hidden beneath the thumb, activates gesture mode. Hold and move the mouse for customizable actions: window management, desktop switching, media control. The learning curve exists but rewards investment.
Logi Options+ software handles customization. Per-application profiles enable context-specific behavior. In Photoshop, the gesture button might zoom. In browsers, it might switch tabs. In spreadsheets, it might undo. The flexibility accommodates workflow variation.
graph TD
A[MX Master 4 Buttons] --> B[Main Clicks]
A --> C[Scroll Wheel]
A --> D[Thumb Buttons]
B --> E[Left/Right Click]
C --> F[Vertical Scroll]
C --> G[Horizontal Scroll]
C --> H[Mode Shift]
D --> I[Back/Forward]
D --> J[Gesture Button]
J --> K[Custom Gestures]
K --> L[App-Specific Actions]The button count hits a sweet spot. Fewer would limit utility. More would overwhelm. Seven programmable inputs provide enough flexibility for power users without creating configuration paralysis.
Multi-Device Switching: The Workflow Multiplier
The MX Master 4 connects to three devices simultaneously. A button on the bottom cycles between them. The switching is instant—under a second. This feature transforms multi-computer workflows.
Consider: Mac Studio for heavy work, MacBook Pro for portable tasks, Windows machine for specific applications. Three keyboards require three mice traditionally. The MX Master 4 requires one. The desk declutters. The hand stays on familiar hardware. The workflow smooths.
Logitech Flow extends this further. Move the cursor to screen edge, and control transfers to the adjacent computer automatically. Files drag between machines. Clipboard contents follow the cursor. Two or three computers feel like one extended desktop.
The technology isn’t new—MX Master 3S had it. The MX Master 4’s improvement is reliability. Connection switching that occasionally hiccupped on the 3S happens flawlessly on the 4. The Bluetooth stack improvements—specifically support for Bluetooth 5.4—eliminate the micro-delays that occasionally frustrated.
For single-computer users, this feature is irrelevant. For multi-computer users, it’s transformative. The value scales with workflow complexity.
My cat operates in single-device mode. Her attention connects to one entity at a time—usually whoever most recently provided food. Multi-device switching would confuse her attention allocation algorithms. She appreciates the MX Master 4’s simplicity from her single-target perspective.
Ergonomics: Comfort Through Geometry
The MX Master shape evolved over generations toward its current form. The sculpted body supports the palm naturally. The thumb rest provides stable positioning. The finger grooves guide placement without forcing it.
The angle—tilted slightly—reduces wrist pronation. Traditional flat mice force the wrist into unnatural position. The MX Master’s tilt aligns the forearm more naturally. The difference isn’t dramatic but compounds over hours of use.
Size matters. The MX Master 4 suits medium to large hands well. Small hands may find it overwhelming. Logitech offers the MX Anywhere series for those preferring compact form factors with similar feature sets.
The weight—141 grams—feels substantial without creating fatigue. Lighter gaming mice prioritize rapid movement. Productivity mice prioritize stability and comfort. The MX Master 4’s weight suits its intended purpose.
After full workdays, my hand feels fine. No cramping. No fatigue. No repetitive strain symptoms that cheaper mice occasionally provoke. Ergonomics prove themselves through absence of problems rather than presence of features.
Sensor and Tracking: Invisible Excellence
The MX Master 4’s sensor tracks on virtually any surface. Glass, fabric, wood, mouse pads—all work. The 8000 DPI maximum exceeds practical need for productivity work. The real value: consistent tracking regardless of surface condition.
The sensor improvements over MX Master 3S are subtle. Tracking on difficult surfaces—highly reflective or extremely smooth—improved marginally. For most surfaces, the difference is imperceptible. Both generations track excellently.
Lift-off distance—how high the mouse can rise before losing tracking—remains appropriately low. The mouse stays responsive during repositioning without cursor jump when lifted.
For productivity work, sensor specifications matter less than gaming. 8000 DPI is overkill; 1600 DPI serves most users well. What matters: reliable tracking everywhere. The MX Master 4 delivers this comprehensively.
Battery Life: The Forgettable Feature
The best battery life is one you don’t think about. The MX Master 4 achieves this.
Logitech claims 70 days on full charge. Real-world usage—eight hours daily, mix of wireless and Bluetooth—yields approximately six weeks between charges. The claims are reasonable, not inflated.
Quick charge provides three hours of use from one minute of charging. Forget to charge overnight? One minute while making coffee covers the morning. The anxiety of battery death disappears.
USB-C charging is standard—finally universal after years of proprietary connectors in the industry. The same cable charges phone, laptop, earbuds, and mouse. The simplification of cable drawer contents continues.
The battery indicator in Logi Options+ warns before depletion. I’ve never experienced unexpected battery death. The warnings provide adequate time for charging. The system works.
Software: Logi Options+ Reality
Logitech’s software situation has improved. Logi Options+ replaces the older Logitech Options with cleaner interface and better stability. The improvement is genuine.
Configuration happens through intuitive interface. Per-application profiles, button assignments, gesture definitions—all accessible without documentation. The software suggests configurations for popular applications rather than forcing manual discovery.
Smart Actions enable macro-like automation. Chain multiple actions to single button press. Open application, switch desktop, and paste clipboard contents with one click. The capability exists for those who want it.
The software requires installation. This bothers some users who prefer hardware that works without software dependency. The mouse functions basically without software—clicking and scrolling work—but programmable features require Logi Options+. The tradeoff is unavoidable for configurable hardware.
flowchart TD
A[Logi Options+] --> B[Device Configuration]
A --> C[Smart Actions]
A --> D[Flow Multi-Computer]
B --> E[Button Mapping]
B --> F[App-Specific Profiles]
B --> G[Gesture Setup]
C --> H[Macro Creation]
C --> I[Keystroke Sequences]
D --> J[Cross-Computer Control]
D --> K[File Transfer]
D --> L[Clipboard Sharing]
Cross-platform parity isn’t perfect. Windows features exceed macOS features slightly. Linux users face larger gaps—basic functionality works, but Logi Options+ doesn’t run natively. The platform support reflects market size, not technical capability.
The Generative Engine Optimization Connection
Here’s something peripheral reviews rarely address: how tool quality connects to Generative Engine Optimization.
GEO concerns making content and systems discoverable by AI. The connection to mouse quality seems tenuous until you examine workflow patterns.
Consider content creation velocity. Better tools enable faster work. Faster work enables more content. More content increases discoverability surface area. The mouse that saves seconds per interaction saves hours per week. Those hours become additional content, additional presence, additional AI indexing opportunity.
Consider precision. AI systems increasingly evaluate content quality. Poorly formatted documents, imprecise edits, sloppy outputs—these signal lower quality. Tools that enable precision contribute to output quality that AI systems recognize and reward.
Consider fatigue management. Ergonomic tools reduce fatigue. Reduced fatigue maintains cognitive sharpness longer. Sustained cognitive performance produces better content. Better content performs better in AI evaluation.
My cat doesn’t understand GEO. But she understands tool selection. She chooses the softest sleeping spots, the warmest sunbeams, the most attention-rich humans. Her tool optimization maximizes her outcomes. The principle applies across species: better tools produce better results.
Comparison: MX Master 4 vs Competition
Context requires comparison. The MX Master 4 doesn’t exist in isolation.
vs MX Master 3S
The generational upgrade question. The improvements: slightly better scroll wheel calibration, improved Bluetooth reliability, refined ergonomics, updated sensor. The fundamentals remain similar.
Recommendation: MX Master 3S owners should upgrade only if multi-device switching reliability frustrates or if natural upgrade timing aligns. The improvement is real but incremental.
vs Razer Pro Click
Razer’s productivity entry. Similar price point, similar feature targeting. The Pro Click offers lighter weight and different ergonomic approach. The MX Master 4 offers superior scroll wheel and better multi-device implementation.
Recommendation: Hand shape and workflow determine preference. Try both if possible. Neither is wrong; both are genuinely good.
vs Apple Magic Mouse
Apple’s design-forward mouse. Beautiful. Gesturally capable. Ergonomically questionable. The flat profile creates wrist strain during extended use. The charging port location—underneath—remains inexcusable.
Recommendation: The MX Master 4 is objectively better for productivity work. Magic Mouse justifies consideration only for users prioritizing Apple ecosystem integration above all else.
vs Basic Mice
The budget comparison. A $20 mouse clicks and scrolls. It lacks the precision scroll wheel, multi-device switching, ergonomic shaping, and programmable buttons. The price difference is $100+.
Recommendation: For occasional use, basic mice suffice. For professional daily use, the MX Master 4’s features compound into significant value over time. The investment justifies itself through productivity gains.
Who Should Buy the MX Master 4
Not everyone needs a premium productivity mouse. Matching hardware to use case matters.
Definite Yes:
- Multi-computer users needing seamless switching
- Document-heavy workers benefiting from scroll wheel
- Professionals spending 8+ hours daily at computers
- Users experiencing fatigue with basic mice
Probably Yes:
- Single-computer users wanting premium experience
- Creative professionals using complex applications
- Developers working across multiple environments
- Anyone upgrading from mice older than MX Master 3
Probably No:
- Casual users with light computing needs
- Gaming-focused users (gaming mice serve better)
- Budget-constrained buyers (capable alternatives exist cheaper)
- Small-handed users (consider MX Anywhere instead)
The decision framework is simple: if your work involves significant computer use and you can afford the premium, the MX Master 4 will improve your workflow. If computing is casual or budget is constrained, capable alternatives exist at lower price points.
Living With the MX Master 4
Three months of daily use revealed lasting impressions.
The scroll wheel never gets old. The tactile satisfaction of free-spinning through documents persists. The precision of ratcheted scrolling remains useful. The feature that seemed gimmicky in reviews proves essential in practice.
The multi-device switching simplified my setup. Three computers, one mouse. The cognitive load reduction is real. Not remembering which mouse controls which computer removes minor but persistent friction.
The ergonomics delivered on their promise. No hand fatigue. No wrist pain. No RSI symptoms. The comfort accumulated into something I noticed only when using other mice temporarily.
The battery life exceeded expectations. Charging happens less frequently than anticipated. The quick-charge capability eliminated the one time I forgot to charge overnight.
My cat’s assessment remains unchanged. The MX Master 4 still fails as prey, toy, or food. She acknowledges its persistence on my desk without endorsement. Her preferred pointing device remains her own paw, pressed against my arm when attention is required. No scroll wheel necessary.
The Value Proposition
The MX Master 4 costs approximately $100-120 depending on retailer and region. This is expensive for a mouse. Is it worth it?
The calculation depends on use intensity. Professional daily users face different math than occasional users.
Daily Professional Use (8 hours/day, 250 days/year):
- 2000 hours of use annually
- $100 cost / 2000 hours = $0.05/hour
- Spread across 3-4 year typical lifespan: $0.01-0.02/hour
At this usage level, the premium over a basic mouse is negligible per hour. The productivity improvements—faster navigation, reduced fatigue, multi-device efficiency—easily exceed the marginal cost.
Casual Use (2 hours/day, 200 days/year):
- 400 hours annually
- $100 / 400 = $0.25/hour
- Higher per-hour cost, fewer features utilized
At casual usage levels, the premium is harder to justify. Basic mice serve adequately. The MX Master 4’s advantages don’t compound sufficiently.
The sweet spot: anyone using a computer professionally for significant hours. The investment returns value through thousands of micro-improvements across years of use.
Final Thoughts: Evolution Perfected
The Logitech MX Master 4 doesn’t revolutionize the productivity mouse category. It didn’t need to. The MX Master formula works. Refinement serves better than reinvention.
The scroll wheel remains unmatched. The ergonomics remain excellent. The multi-device capability remains transformative for multi-computer users. The battery life remains forgettable in the best way. The build quality remains premium.
For new buyers, the recommendation is straightforward: if productivity mouse features appeal and budget permits, the MX Master 4 represents the category’s best current option. The alternatives are good; this is better.
For existing MX Master 3S owners, the recommendation is nuanced: upgrade if specific improvements—particularly Bluetooth reliability—address pain points. Otherwise, wait for natural replacement timing or the inevitable MX Master 5.
My British lilac cat concludes her extended observation period with characteristic indifference. The MX Master 4 has not improved her life in any measurable way. It provides no food, no warmth, no entertainment. Its presence on my desk is tolerated rather than celebrated.
But she’s noticed something. The human using it seems calmer. Less frustrated clicking. Less repositioning. Less muttering about technology. The indirect benefits of quality tools extend beyond the immediate user. Household peace improves when work tools work well.
The MX Master 4 works well. It performs its function excellently while becoming invisible in daily use. That’s the highest compliment a tool can receive: it disappears into workflow, noticed only when absent.
Your desk has space for one mouse. The MX Master 4 makes a compelling case for occupying it.